Yankees 101 provides 24/7 obsessive sports coverage of the New York Yankees as a part of Sports Media 101. For news,
op/ed, game reviews, team updates and even rumors you will find all of it on Yankees 101. Have an opinion - join
the discussion and drop a comment. If it's about the Yankees, it's on Yankees 101.

Sponsors

Fan Poll

Who do you think will emerge as the Yankees' closer after spring training?

The MLB Draft has long seemed to be a key moment for Kendrys Morales, and with agent Scott Boras recently declining to OK the Yankees' request to wait a few days while they monitor the progress of Carlos Beltran and especially Mark Teixeira before Morales signs, indications are that the free agent will likely find a new home within the next day or two.

Despite the denial, the Yanks aren't thought to be out of the running just yet.

Both Teixeira and Beltran have not only been dealing with injuries, but they just so happen to be the two biggest bats in the Yanks' lineup. It's because of their injuries that the Yanks are even pursuing Morales with the intention of adding some much-needed offense to their struggling bunch.

The thought process is the Yanks won't have to go after Morales if Tex and Beltran are healthy. However, Morales should be a necessary addition right now considering the future of Teixeira and Beltran are cloudy to say the least. Nobody knows if their bodies will hold up the rest of the way, so Morales should be a definite pickup for insurance regardless of the cost.

While the Yanks try to get an extension of their time to sign Morales, other teams are trying to swoop in to take him, per Heyman's report:

While the Yankees aren't necessarily out of the running for Morales, it would appear other teams — including the Brewers, the incumbent Mariners and another team or two — may have a better chance now to sign the first baseman/DH. The Yankees sought to gauge the health of Teixeira (wrist) and Beltran (elbow) to known how much playing time they would have for Morales, but they may be running out of time.

The Rangers are believed to have shown interest, as well, but are thought to be not as likely as some others at the moment. There is word there's a mystery team in the mix, which always adds to the intrigue.

If the Yanks waste more time, Morales could be gone before they can blink. Now that June 5 has passed, Morales is much more attractive now that teams don't have to surrender a draft pick to sign him.

Morales would be a big bat to add to the Yanks' order and his ability to play a respectable first base is also a major plus. Heyman's report also points out the first baseman may be looking for a one-year deal to set himself up for free agency in 2015, thus Morales isn't a long-term commitment.

Maybe being denied more time will light a fire under the Yanks' butts to make a move quickly. Either way, it looks like the Morales sweepstakes will end soon in what has been a long, drawn-out process for the free agent.